"Something you need?"
Song Wanníng raised an eyebrow, looking at him with some surprise. Wu Yaozu had originally intended to go to Ghost King Valley to request a pill. Why was he coming to her instead?
"Dàrén, I want to ask you to help me make a pill for my sister. The payment can be negotiated. As long as you agree, it's fine!"
Wu Yaozu felt somewhat intimidated facing Song Wanníng. Yet he also knew he had provoked her first, so he behaved more obediently now.
"Dàrén, this is not the place to talk. Can we go somewhere private to discuss?" His eyes were full of pleading. "If you still bear a grudge over what happened before, then you can scold or hit me all you want—I will not resist!
I only beg you to give me a chance. My sister really needs this pill!" Wu Yaozu cared most about his sister. Seeing Song Wanníng hesitate, he even started slapping himself.
"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have spoken recklessly, and I shouldn't have dared to hope, Dàrén!
It's all my fault. I'm just an idiot…
Dàrén, I beg you to give me a chance!"
He had no other choice. His sister needed the pill. They had already tried requesting it from Ghost King Valley several times, but even Ghost King Valley could not make it, which caused delays until now.
A few days ago, he heard that a genius disciple of Ghost King Valley could refine various pills, so he brought people to seek help.
Now, if his actions caused his sister to lose hope, he would never forgive himself.
Slap. Slap.
Wu Yaozu continued hitting himself, while Song Wanníng's expression grew serious, mixed with surprise.
She had expected him to be a lazy, good-for-nothing type, yet he showed genuine concern for his sister. A faint glimmer passed through her eyes. If Langya Gang could provide higher-level pill formulas, she might consider trying them. If not, she would not trouble herself.
"All right, let's find a place to discuss terms."
She raised her hand, and a force caught Wu Yaozu's swinging palm.
"Really?"
Wu Yaozu's face lit up with joy. He immediately led Song Wanníng to the nearest inn.
Song Wanníng wasted no time, asking directly, "What pill do you need me to make?"
"The Super-grade Spiritual Elixir!"
Wu Yaozu sent all the followers to the door, isolating their conversation.
This was a secret, not something for everyone to know.
"Super-grade Spiritual Elixir?"
Song Wanníng had never heard of it. From its name, it seemed designed to help ghost cultivators break through.
"Yes. Because it is a super grade pill, only the Valley Dàrén of Ghost King Valley can make it now…
But the Ghost King Valley Dàrén has been in seclusion for years. Ghost King Valley hasn't sold a supreme pill in decades!
And that Wu Mingxu, regarded as the most talented potential breakthrough candidate, dared to act so arrogantly!"
Wu Yaozu was envious of Wu Mingxu. They shared the same surname, yet the gap was enormous. If he had such talent, perhaps one day he could refine a Super-grade Spiritual Elixir.
He briefly explained the situation at Ghost King Valley, then looked at Song Wanníng anxiously, fearing she might refuse. In truth, he held little hope—supreme pills were extremely difficult to make.
After hearing him out, Song Wanníng understood the situation. Wu Yaozu's sister was likely stuck at a certain level, unable to advance.
Now she urgently needed the pill. This was worth negotiating terms. High-level pill formulas could not be bought with money alone; she needed someone of status to cooperate with.
After a moment of thought, Song Wanníng nodded.
"All right. I will go with you to Langya Gang."
"Ah? Really?"
Wu Yaozu's eyes lit up. "Dàrén, you—you can make a super grade pill?"
He was so excited he stammered, completely surprised. He had approached many pill Masters before, all of whom had outright refused. No one dared take it on.
Now that Song Wanníng agreed so readily, how could he not be overjoyed?
"Don't waste time. Let's go."
Song Wanníng stood up. Time was money, and she still wanted to refine pills to strengthen her Primordial Soul.
"All right, all right, let's go immediately!"
Wu Yaozu beamed, immediately sending word to his sister, then led Song Wanníng out of the inn. The followers looked at Wu Yaozu's bootlicking behavior with disbelief.
The group quickly headed toward Langya Gang. Soon, news spread across nearby cities that Song Wanníng was posing as a Ghost King Valley disciple.
Wu Mingxu was jealous of Song Wanníng's talent. He considered himself the most gifted new disciple of Ghost King Valley. His junior sister was right. If Ghost King Valley heard of Song Wanníng and recruited her, his position would be in jeopardy.
He had to completely eliminate any chance of Song Wanníng being accepted by Ghost King Valley. Under his careful propaganda, Song Wanníng's image quickly became that of a despicable impostor.
Meanwhile, news that Langya Gang had invited Song Wanníng spread slowly.
Wu Mingxu, upon learning this, threw a huge tantrum.
"Langya Gang, really bold! Did they just ignore what I said?"
He was red-faced with anger, itching to storm Langya Gang and expel her. Daring to cooperate with Song Wanníng was a direct challenge to Ghost King Valley.
"Senior Brother, I don't think Langya Gang is deliberately opposing you. That Song Wanníng is truly remarkable. Soon, she will be able to refine ten-grade pills. We'll have to learn from her then."
Fang Lan sighed, impressed.
"I spit, her? She deserves it?!"
Wu Mingxu's fury ignited again, cursing Langya Gang relentlessly.
"No, I must contact Ghost King Valley immediately. With a word from my Dàrén, Langya Gang would come to apologize instantly!"
He sent a message to Ghost King Valley, spinning Song Wanníng as a complete scoundrel and fraud.
And he was the righteous messenger.
Fang Lan listened to his righteous complaints, lips curling with irony.
This fool had always been used by others as a pawn.
One day, everyone around him would grow tired of him.
Even his Master!
And she, Fang Lan, was the one capable of great things, destined to be the next genius to refine ten-grade pills!
...
"Second Gang Leader, you're back!"
"Mm, where's my sister?"
"The gang leader is handling affairs."
"All right, I'll go find her!"
Wu Yaozu eagerly took Song Wanníng to his sister's study, ignoring the strange looks around them.
He was in too much of a hurry to care.